Photo courtesy Hilton Worldwide
Sure, you've selected your seat from an airplane map by now.
But now you can choose which hotel room you want via a digital floor plan, courtesy of Hilton Worldwide.
In July, Hilton became the first hospitality company to offer room selection and customization via mobile and Internet-based floor plans. Part of a company-wide initiative to focus on the digital and technology space, the offering was conceived based on feedback from travelers.
"Number one, what we're trying to do is give guests the ultimate in choice and control, really make sure it's their vacation and that it's custom to them," said Dustin Bomar, Senior Director, Global Online Services at Hilton. "The second thing is, we were asking our consumers what they wanted to see, what they would use, what they would find valuable. And 84 percent of guests (in a global survey by Hilton) said if they had the option of choosing their room, they would do it. So, because the guests asked for it, that's what we'll provide."
Guests can currently select their exact room online or via the Apple and Android HHonors apps across five Hilton U.S. brands: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites. That covers nearly 1,000 Hilton hotels. The functionality will also be available at DoubleTree by Hilton and Embassy Suites Hotels properties within the U.S. this fall.
That's in addition to digital check-in, digital checkout and the ability to order food, beverage and other items that will be waiting for you when you step into your hotel room.
By the end of 2014, digital check-in and room selection will be available at more than 4,000 Hilton Worldwide properties across 11 brands in 80-plus countries via members' Hilton HHonors accounts.
Infographic courtesy Hilton Worldwide
Bomar recently tried out the service himself in New York City.
"Being in New York, I wanted a high room so I selected Story 434 and it showed each of the rooms that were available," Bomar said. "And I was able to pick which room I wanted just like when you pick your seat on a flight."
"From a traveler's standpoint, I like it quite a bit," he added. "Beyond just picking my room, I can say I want a hamburger and a beer when I get there. I show up and these things are in my room. Again, it's about customizing what I'm going to get."
Heck, you can even have extra pillows placed on your bed for when you arrive.
The choice is yours.
Added Bomar: "Some guests want a room right next to the elevator. Some guests want a room far away from the elevator. Some guests want rooms near the ice machine and the vending machine. And some guests want a room as far away from those as possible."
But there's more.
In 2015, Hilton guests will have the ability to use their smartphones as room keys, and all U.S. hotels across four of its brands will have the capability by the start of 2016. By the end of 2016, the majority of Hilton Worldwide's rooms will offer the service.
It's all part of Hilton's focus on providing the latest technology for its guests. More than five years ago, the company piloted an initial version of digital check-in. In 2012, it launched Conrad Concierge, the first hospitality software app that enables guests to customize their hotel experience through their tablets or smartphones. Traveling forward, Hilton anticipates delivering new digital advancements to guests every six to eight weeks.
"Guests now are more connected than ever and they want to be able to be connected to us," Bomar said. "They want to be able to decide when they're going to get here, they want to be able to say where they're going to stay, the want to be able to say how they're going to pay for their room. They want to be able to do all these things without having to, in many cases, interact with the front desk. So, where guests want to be connected, we're trying to provide that."
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